A lot of perseverance and persistence is needed for an effort to fructify

But without attaching too much reliance on the fruits of that labor unreasonably.

These social laws devised by statute or decree passed by the authority that be

Then universal laws and religious laws have stood the test of time

Which have undergone evolution over a period of time

And detached from the confusion and disorder which was rampant

In rituals which made the Dharma more complex

Thus following a path more with honor and easily

The laws of proper behavior sincerely

For living virtuously and righteously

While performing our duty truthfully

Holding and following the right conduct, customs and traditions religiously

With purity of mind and body

Along with the soul’s purify

Observing ethical and moral purity

While performing multifarious responsibilities

As a member of a family

As a member of a human community

Or as a law-abiding citizen of a country

Or for those matter citizens of all the world societies

Making it the law of the universe ultimately

Laws which are in sync with the brain and heart jointly

Thence ensuring uprightness in thoughts and deeds purity

Along with observing the laws of Mother Nature to ensure stability

Minding that nothing goes amiss even accidentally

The overall purpose is to establish harmony

Between laws of the land and cosmic principles willfully

Linking cause and effect to work decisively

Besides venerating God deferentially

As a pious offering to the God reverentially.

DHARMA IS OUR RIGHT KARMA

MEANING OF DHARMA

Dharma means following a certain code of conduct devised by legislation or social norms followed by all since ages in family, community, county; these rules could also be followed universally which could be termed as law of the universe. Dharma is also following an eco-system which is progressive in nature, acceptable by all in thoughts, actions and deeds. Our actions should engender spiritual maturity and creativity in our action while performing their multifarious duties.

Dharma being universal in nature also takes into cognizance social and religious rules for the fulfillment of the purpose of life. Individually, my dharma is to think and act in a manner which could help us could dharma anything which helps us do our duty reasonably, rationally and religiously while following the code of conduct. Whatever duties we are performing, we should perform with a missionary zeal and enthusiasm.

ESSENCE OF DHARMA IS DISSEMINATION OF VALUES

In Vedanta, Dharma is understood to be the science of values and also unfolding of human essence. It has been observed that in today’s world value system is not given much significance. It has to be imparted by the parents but the parents are engaged in their professions and cannot give their quality time to their children. This is the reason the children today have no connection with the human values.

DHARMA IS BASED ON FREEWILL, EQUALITY, AND DIGNITY

We are free to follow Dharma based on our free-will. In this, no credence or relevance is given to caste, creed, color or position one is holding. Dharma is the science of values. In following one’s Dharma, there cannot be any corrosion, bias, subjugation or any other consideration for following our personal Dharma.

In Bhagwad Gita, Lord Krishna advises the best Dhayshdhari Arjuna to follow his dharma to fight as Kshatriya. This should be done without any attachment to the fruits of his actions. In fact following our dharma is sacrosanct with inner potentials which we have to draw out for our forward march. Those who follow Dharma in different manifestations like following political dharma, personal dharma in right spirits are the flag bearers of truth.

DHARMA IS BASED ON RIGHTEOUSNESS

Dharma is based on right-mindedness, right conduct, the right attitude, right thoughts, right action and living one’s life without let and hindrance without resorting to any sorts of violence and terror. In other words, the practice of Dharma unfolds human essence, human excellence, and divine potential.

DHARMA IN OUR FAMILY LIFE

Essentially, while we follow our family Dharma, we endeavor to follow all the norms of behavior. In this scheme of things social etiquettes, following and observing moral and ethical standpoints. Observation of our family dharma means observing all the norms of behavior which establishes harmony amongst the members of the family.

ADHARMA OR IMMORAL LIFE COULD COST US DEARLY

A few days back, I happened to meet a lady whose daughter is studying in one of the institutes. Her daughter was found to have involved in the fight with another girl student of her class. The bone of contention was a common boyfriend. I asked the lady why she did not give quality time to her daughter to which she replied that she was the victim of domestic disharmony created by unfaithfulness or infidelity of her husband due to which she had to seek divorce for separation for good. This separation was thus due to immoralist conduct/activities followed by her husband. Following unethical and immoral life means following an unreasonable and irrational existence which breaks the closely knit family and thus is ADHARMA in true sense of terms. Immoral life not only adversely impacts spouses but also the children who are left to fend for themselves. It also put to disrepute the institution of marriage creating doubt in the minds of the impressionable minds – creating physiological and psychological implications for the children. This shows how following an ADHARMA or immoral lifestyle cost us dearly for us all.

DHARMA IN OUR COMMUNITY

Then, we have Dharma conduct that we have to follow in the community in which we are living. We have to work according to norms set by the society and we have to perforce follow those rules of behavior.

DESH DHARMA – DHARMA FOR OUR COUNTRY

Subsequently, we have DESH DHARMA (Dharma for our Country) that we have to follow for the country of our birth for the protection/safeguarding of its unity and integrity we are constrained to remain within the confines of laws of the land and never ever even think about its breakup.

THE UNIVERSAL DHARMA

Then we have Universal Dharma, the laws or rules which are relevant for all the countries of the world. UNO works on this philosophy.

DHARMA AND SPIRITUALISM

Whatever duty we perform, we should do that with sincerity while following a life with positive orientation – a life of Dharma. It can also be that whatever we do, we can do that with the partnership of our GOD – bearing in mind that BHAKTI & SHAKTI could go together by adopting a Dharma lifestyle. In this quest, we should always not follow a life of Adharma; unethical and immoral lifestyle.

Dharma is based on our belief and faith. No credence on caste, color or any other consideration is given while following our Dharma.

Dharma is independent of any narrow considerations.

Dharma encompasses all rituals which rather confuse us.

Dharma is a science of values without these, it cannot be followed.

Dharma unfolds our inner potentials and helps unravel the Divine power which exists in us.

Following a life based on our DHARMA gives us ANANDA of the highest order.

Dharma helps us living spiritually.

Our Dharma dwells with us – it helps us never to live a life of ADHARMA which is the antithesis of DHARMA.

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Author: Harbans

GOD is very compassionate with us in every way, need is to use those blessings which are the results of His bounties and thank Him for everything that He gives us. We should also share these bounties with our fellow-beings. I am the person who loves God and His Creations. I love my Creator and not fear Him. My children are adjusted to life, incommensurate, to their Karma and destiny. I have served as a Sr CGO for about 38 years in a Central Govt. Presently I am serving as an Adm Offer with an Engineering College. I am a spiritual person with liberal ways of thinking. I respect all the religions as I respect mine since I understand that all the religions are the pathways to a SINGLE ENTITY - paths for connecting with Him may be different but the ULTIMATE SOURCE IS ONE. I want to be a student till last day of my life. I am a homeopath also, which I pursue as a social service only. Happy moments, I take as God's Gifts, sad ones I take as His Test for me. I believe that He will surely assist me in this Test of His, come what may. Really. I have more belief in Him than I am on my own. You can comprehend my philosophy in life from my write-ups which I write while interacting with them. I firmly believe that every person has the special characteristic which other fellows cannot have and I respect that person as such.
With the grace of Almighty God, a book entitled INNER THOUGHTS which could be purchased online from http://flipkart.com. This book is based on the topics which have been penned down. That is why it is rightly said if intentions are good, everything goes well with you.
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Thank you so much for sharing your profound thoughts about Dharma and Karma 🙂

The term Dharma is a relative term depending from which source it derives as there are different meaning within different religions – so Dharma is ethic and moral, is a cosmic order in a small and greater frame. In practising it in its purest form we are able to create a good karma: With living a life of Dharma, we are able to create good virtues and these in turn have good consequences (karma). Once we develop it and reduce by it the involvement of our own ego, the Grace of God help us to leave the wheel of coming and going. Without the help of God we still have to return into this world, although we have created only good thoughts, words and deeds (good karma) – So even good karma with the help of Dharma cannot help us alone to leave the circle of life and death – when the potter sees His pot is ready then He will make use of such a pot. In this context we should understand that iron chains and golden chains (bad and good karma) – are still chains.

Kabir, Nanak, Rumi, Shamez e Tabrez, Sant Kirpal Singh, Christ, Baba Jaimal Singh, Guru Gobind Singh (and more) – they all reported that only with the help of competent Master we can finally leave this world by the help and Grace of God.

So Dharma is the precondition for a good Karma. Accoding to the Bhagavadgita Dharma has virtues like: Nonviolence (Ahimsa), Truthfulness, Wrathlessness, Renunciation, Peace, Non-Slander, Compassion for living beings, Desirelessness, Mild, Modesty, Luminous Strength, Forgiveness, Consistency, Purity, Lack of Hostility. And the Indian Epos “Mahabharata” we find that the highest virtues are: Compassion and Benevolence – these virtues help us to become a real human being – and when God sees such a man, He knows that the pot is ready now… and will be handed over to Guide, a real Teacher, or Master or Guru – there the pot receives its final touch… then the journey has come to an end and Home is reached. Such a man does not have to come back (reincarnation) anymore – and if God sends him back then not as patient but as a doctor…

Thank you very much, dear friend for sharing this subject with efforts and experiences life has given you.

My sincerest thanks for giving well-meaning and profound commentary on the DHARMA. i AM REALLY THANKFUL TO YOU FOR SHARING YOUR VIEWPOINTS IN THIS. You add on is always of great help me to addup my know-how. And the examples citerd by you are bviously very helpful to me. I try to implement these and others in my real life.

Good morning and thanks for this great article, caro Il Chiaro. Moreover I appreciate the fact that when I asked you a few days ago in a commentary to discuss the issue of “moral relativism” in our modern societies I might have contributed with a little spark at least to your inspiration. First of all let me congratulate you on the didactic lay out as not only you set up the principles upfront but you also make a little summary of the relevant points at the end of the article. Always useful.

My first point is that there have always been times of extreme confusion and upheaval in the history of Mankind like the Middle Ages in the European continent, which I have studied.
But then, as today, the only real salvation for the common citizenry was the adherence to honest civic values and the respect of fellow human beings; if they could add a strong religious faith, so much the better (I don’t want to exclude very prominent atheists that contributed generously to society) All these trying times have certainly increased the complexity of Dharma, including in your country. Watching the film “Alexander” from Oliver Stone I could not help think that the confusion provoked by the invading army of Macedonians must have solidified the Hindu religion of the retreating tribes into the jungle. The humble huts of the peasants were the refuge of the Hindu establishment and the springboard for the victorious rebellion against the invaders ( just like it happened centuries later to the arrogant Brits) All the ostentatious display of wealth in their places of the governing caste did not shield them form the long pikes of the Greeks. But the strong adherence to simple, honest earthly values of the neglected, ignored poor classes did.
Something similar happened in Europe when the advancing Islamic Army of the governor of Al-Andalus was dramatically defeated at Poitiers on October 10, 732, by Charles Martel leading a hastily assembled force of thousands of poor peasants that had the guts to defend their land. If Martel would have trusted the seigneurs and their sycophants, Europe would be Islamic today,

Lastly I would like to comment the anecdote of the girl with bad behavior at school ( I presume it was an elite public school in Delhi) How can you be surprised of her action when oftentimes bad teen behavior is a reaction to a family situation? If the father sets a bad example, the wife reacts angrily and there are frequent open discussions of adult situations with the children watching, then that home is not a salutary environment for them. Adharma triggers a succession of bad deeds that are difficult to control and even daily bear. Raising children takes time and dedication.

Your overall commentary is really an ad-on to my write-up including history of Mankind in the middle ages in the European continent.

Civic values and respect of fellow being is essential. If we want that others should respect us then we have to respect them for reciprocity. The main reason for defeat of King Porus was due to division between the kings of different parts of Bharat and especially so King Ambi’s treachery ruling Takshila across Jhellum. But King Porushotam (Poru) and his supporters did their best to ward off the invading Macedodonan army. This was also due to the patriotic fervor of Hindus. At that time, Bharat was called the SONE KI CHIDIA (GOLDEN SPARROW) with strong spiritual orientation in Bhakti including respect for older members in the society.

India too faced the foreign rules simply due to division between the ruling classes of different states of ruling clans – forgetting that the invader’s intention was to plunder and put them in disrepute and subjugation. History is the witness, the miseries that our forefathers went through. It may be for religious conversions or plundering the rich temples etc.

The school I am mentioning is forward in its outlook but considers religious leaning. A case of this nature surely triggers a sort of debate as to how to deal with cases of moral turpitudes.

My gratitude for your sagacious commentary, I am really thankful to you for the richness of your viewpoints on history and geography at that time. Such discussions provide us opportunity to share our history for each other’s benefits.

Good morning and thanks for your commentary. I knew there had to be some serious infighting between the ruling warlords for a small army of Macedonians with limited means to sweep through the Indian sub-continent in a daring blitzktieg. Thanks for your lesson, dear Hindu teacher. Please do not forget to comnent my two latest blogs. A big hug. Ciao!

Thanks for your commentary. Factually, disunity and infighting creates situation which is recipe for destruction. In Indian context, disunity between different groups on the basis of regionalism, religion etc is causing problem even presently.